Generation to Generation

If you are reading along in The Daily Bible (in chronological order), today we finish reading the life of Abraham, the friend of God. The Genesis account now focuses on his son Isaac, then his son Jacob, through whom God’s covenant to Abraham continues.

I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because Abraham obeyed me and did everything I required of him, keeping my commands, my decrees and my instructions.” So Isaac stayed in Gerar. When the men of that place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” because he was afraid to say, “She is my wife.” He thought, “The men of this place might kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is beautiful.” When Isaac had been there a long time, Abimelek king of the Philistines looked down from a window and saw Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah. Genesis 26:4-8

God confirms to Isaac the oath He made to Abraham over 100 years earlier. Isaac, like Abraham obeyed God, but also like Abraham exhibited a character flaw in which he deceives the men of Gerar by telling them that Rebecca is his sister rather than his wife. Abraham did the same thing to King Abimelek about 80 years earlier, telling him that Sarah was his sister. While in this case everything turned out alright, it is a warning to parents of all ages of the influences they can have on their children. Parents, pray over your children regularly. If there is a history of generational sin in your family break the chain now. With God’s help prevent it from continuing to your children. God is always ready to help in times of trouble.